Raoul Peck’s Documentary "Orwell: 2+2=5" Juxtaposes Dystopian Prophecy with Modern Global Crises

Director Raoul Peck’s latest cinematic endeavor, "Orwell: 2+2=5," establishes a profound and direct correlation between the dystopian prophecies of George Orwell and the volatile state of the contemporary world. Making its global debut on May 17, 2025, within the prestigious Cannes Premiere section of the Cannes Film Festival, the documentary serves as a haunting reflection of our times. Peck, a filmmaker celebrated for his incisive works such as "I Am Not Your Negro" (2016) and "Exterminate All the Brutes" (2021), masterfully weaves together Orwell’s private manuscripts with visceral footage of current global events.

The Haitian-born director found a unique resonance in the personal history of George Orwell, who was born in British India, noting how these formative experiences shaped the author’s enduring humanistic perspective. The project, which entered production in March 2023 with the full cooperation of the Orwell Estate, delves deep into the linguistic and psychological frameworks of "1984," including concepts like Newspeak, Doublethink, and the omnipresent Big Brother.

Damian Lewis, widely recognized for his performances in "Homeland" and "Billions," provides the narration for Orwell’s intimate letters and diaries. This collaboration results in a cinematic essay that critics have hailed as an "urgent and indispensable film for our era."

Throughout the film, Peck meticulously aligns Orwell’s mid-century observations with the harrowing realities of the present day, specifically highlighting the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The documentary also scrutinizes the political rhetoric employed by global figures such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, examining how their discourse mirrors the manipulation of truth described in Orwell's fiction.

By analyzing the rise of total surveillance and the distortion of reality through political euphemisms and artificial intelligence, the film illustrates how the terrifying visions of "1984"—penned in 1949—are increasingly manifesting in the 21st century. It serves as a reminder that Orwell warned of such a dystopian shift as early as 1925, a time when such a future seemed entirely inconceivable.

Beyond its thematic depth, "Orwell: 2+2=5" has garnered significant critical acclaim, earning a nomination for the "Golden Eye" at Cannes and securing awards for Best Music and Best Voiceover at the 10th annual Critics' Choice Documentary Awards. The film provides a chilling exploration of how institutionalized lies—symbolized by the mathematical fallacy "2+2=5"—are weaponized by those in power to demand absolute submission.

Distributed by the company Neon, the documentary reached American audiences on October 3, 2025, with a scheduled release in France on February 25, 2026. Ultimately, Peck’s work stands as a vital cultural alarm, highlighting the dangerous erosion of scientific truth and the meaning of language in an age increasingly defined by "alternative facts."